The RMT and TSSA started a 48-hour walkout last night over proposed job cuts and ticket office closures, leading to disruption for commuters this morning.

Speaking to PRWeek yesterday afternoon, RMT head of comms Geoff Martin said that the union's strategy was to highlight the loss of jobs on a network that is facing rising demand.

"In broad terms we’re doing well at getting our message out there, and most people are sympathetic," he said.

"There are people out there who want to see people on the platforms and we’ve had huge support, for example from young women worried about travelling at night."

He added that alerting people to promises made by London Mayor Boris Johnson not to make ticket office closures were also important.

Martin argued that most of the public were sympathetic to the union's position but he had to deal with a negative bias in some parts of the media.

"Some parts of the media are very hostile to the unions and it’s difficult to get our message through, but that’s the environment we operate in," he said. "Nobody likes disruption to the Tube, which is why we have to get our message across. Once London realises the reality of what’s happening they will share our concerns."